In a move geared towards improving the electric vehicle (EV) scene in India, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEM) have joined forces to roll out 7,000 EV charging stations across the country. This partnership will capitalise on BPCL's extensive network of fuel stations and TPEM's experience with over 115,000 Tata EVs on Indian roads, they said in a joint statement on Friday (December 8).
The collaboration aims to strategically place charging stations at spots frequently visited by Tata EV owners. This approach caters to the specific needs of the growing EV user base. BPCL will also use data on charger usage to refine the customer experience, aligning with its sustainability goals, it added.
To simplify the payment process, both companies are looking into introducing a co-branded RFID card. This move will not only ease payments for Tata EV users but will also encourage more people to adopt electric vehicles.
BPCL, aiming to install 7,000 EV charging stations next year, has already started work on over 90 electric vehicle fast-charging highway corridors. Covering more than 30,000 km, these corridors will ensure a fast-charging station approximately every 100 km on both sides of major highways, addressing concerns about EV range.
Santosh Kumar, Executive Director, Retail, at BPCL, highlighted the company's commitment to aligning with the nation's vision of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. He mentioned, "EV is a field of collaboration, and we believe that joining hands with TPEM will take the EV efforts of both companies to the next level."
As the market leader in EVs in India with a market share of over 71%, TPEM continues to lead the electric mobility revolution. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., expressed optimism about the collaboration, emphasising the crucial role of charging infrastructure in speeding up EV adoption.
Chandra said, "This partnership symbolises our shared vision of positive change — an enabling infrastructure for the growing EV customer base. It benefits from TPEM’s insights and BPCL’s network, reshaping the charging infrastructure landscape in the country."
